Bag

ABSTRACT

Multifunctional shoulder bag, comprising at least one bag pouch, which is closed laterally all around as well as at its bottom, with an opening at its upper side, which can be closed by means of a cover lid , whereupon the cover lid of the shoulder bag is not fixed in the area of the bag opening, but in its bottom area, whereby lateral areas of the cover lid are mountable in a removable manner at the lateral surface of the bag pouch.

The invention is directed to a multifunctional shoulder bag, comprising at least a bag pouch with an opening at the top, which is closable by a cover lid. Especially, the invention is directed to additional functions of such a bag.

Multifunctional shoulder bags are known for some time. There exist different approaches to integrate additional functions, for example for a conversion into a seating furniture.

From the U.S. Pat. No. 3,825,298, a transportable, foldable seat is known, which can be used as a bag during the transport, too. If one wishes to use it as a seat, the bag has to be emptied entirely, and the contents has to be dropped elsewhere, as one cannot use the foldable seat at the same time.

On the other hand, the WO 96/28992 A1 discloses a backpack, on whose rear part there is installed a removable, foldable seat made from foam. Such development bears the advantage that the user does not have to empty the contents from the back pack before using the seat. However, the wearing of such backpack leads to an increased sweating at the back portion, and if an additional foam of a seat is provided there, which isolates the back further, so such sweating increases still further and will be sensed as uncomfortable.

From the disadvantages of the described prior art results the problem initiating the invention, to improve a shoulder bag in such way that additional functions, for example as a seating furniture, can be integrated, without deteriorating the wearing comfort.

The solution of such problem is achieved at a generic shoulder bag by the characterizing features of the main claim. Further features of the invention are described by the subordinated claims.

The prolonged cover lid anchored at the bottom area of the bag pouch shows a relative large length and therefore can be used as a seating or even lying surface in entirely unfolded state. As it does not consist of foam, but of the material of the cover lid, this will not lead to an uncomfortable isolation to the rear area of the wearer; the wearing comfort is not deteriorated. The rear side of the bag may be cushioned, that means, the backrest and the seating surface are cushioned, for example thickly bolstered. The bag lid itself may be cushioned, too, but only serves as an additional upholstery during seating. Of course, the bag lid could be cushioned more thickly.

Furthermore, it corresponds with the invention that the material used especially for the bag pouch and/or for the cover lid consists at least partly of a fire-proof, bullet-proof, water-tight and/or isolating material. Such extra materials for special applications have different advantages: For example, the integration of bullet-proof material in the backrest may save the user from back injuries, especially from gunshot injuries. Upon using isolating materials, the bag pouch or at least a portion thereof may be used as a cooling bag.

Further features, details, advantages and effects on the basis of the invention can be seen from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, as well as from the accompanied drawing. Thereby shows:

FIG. 1 a perspective view onto a shoulder bag in its folded and closed state;

FIG. 2 the bag from FIG. 1 in an opened state, also in a perspective view;

FIG. 3 the bag from FIGS. 1 and 2 in partly unfolded state, likewise in a perspective view;

FIG. 4 the bag from FIGS. 1 to 3, lying with entirely unfurled cover lid, in a top view;

FIG. 5 the bag from FIGS. 1 to 4 used as a variably placeable hanging rack, seen perspectively askew from the front;

FIG. 6 the bag from FIGS. 1 to 5, hung over the shoulder of a person;

FIG. 7 a detail of the bag from FIGS. 1 to 6, where an applied storage pouch for an additional belt can be seen; and

FIG. 8 the additional belt according to FIG. 7, in a state entirely separated from the bag.

In FIG. 1, the shoulder bag according to the invention is illustrated in a folded state, corresponding to the usual function of a bag.

One recognizes the bag corpus in the form of a pouch or basket, in the following denoted as bag pouch 2, with a bottom 3, a lateral surface 4 and an opening 5 at the top. For closure of this opening, the shoulder bag 1 furthermore comprises a cover lid 6, which can be flapped over the bag pouch 2 and especially over its top opening 5, too.

However, opposite to the usual way of construction, the cover lid 6 is not joined with the upper edge of the bag's rear side 7, but extends over that edge, and extends beyond the bag's rear side 7 downward as far as to the level of the bottom 3. Only there, the cover lid 6 is fixed, especially sewed, to the bag pouch 2 or even integrated with the bottom part 3.

However, the cover lid 6 has not to be manufactured as one piece, but can be sewed from two or more pieces 19, 20, one of which is sewed to the rearward edge of the bottom 3 or to the lower edge of the bag's rear side 7, and may extend upward up to the bag's opening 5, while the second part 19 sewed to the free end of the first part 20, covers the bag's opening 5 itself and extends in front of the bag's front side 22 downwardly to two fixation means, especially belt buckles 42, into which belt tongues 21 compatible therewith and fixed in the area of the free edge of the cover lid 6 can be inserted. The belt tongues 21 may be connected to the cover lid 6 by straps 43 with adjustable lengths.

If the cover lid 6 consists of two parts 19, 20 sewed together, these may be shaped differently. For example, the medium part 20 may be cushioned, while the sewed on second part 19 is not.

How can be seen from FIGS. 2 and 3, the cover lid 6 is detachable connected to both lateral edges of the bag's rear side 7, for example by a zipper at each side, whose slider 9 is near the bottom 3 in opened state, while in closed state, the sliders 9 are at the top, near the bag's opening 5. In this closed state, the bag's rear side 7 together with a part 20 of the cover lid 6 forms a second bag pocket 44.

After opening of both zippers 8, the cover lid 6 can be folded away from the bag's rear side 7, which can be seen in FIG. 3. However, at each side of the cover lid 6, an additionally a strap 10 is fixed, approximately in the upper area of each zipper 8. These straps 10 may be sewed to an apex 11 of a fabric triangle 12, whose base edges opposite to the regarding apex 11 are sewed to a side of the cover lid 6 or are integrated with the latter due to a common tailoring.

These two straps 10 are connected to the upper sections of the lateral edges of the bag's rear side 7. This may occur directly, or in that the straps 10 each are sewed to an apex 14 of a fabric triangle 15, whose base edges 16 opposite to the regarding apex 14 are sewed to an edge of the bag's rear side 7 or are integrated with the latter due to a common tailoring.

The straps 10 may be shaped as being separable, for example by means of a quick release fastener 17, where two parts are removably engageable and/or intermateable, and/or are may be adjustable in their lengths, for example by means of a buckle 18, where a strap portion is threaded and deflected. Such a quick release fastener 17 may be integrated with such a buckle 18.

Inasmuch as the zippers 8 are opened, the cover lid 6 claps away from the bag's rear side 7, but is prevented from entirely swinging away by the straps 10. These straps 10 should be adjusted such that they just allow a turning of the cover lid 6 of about 90°, but then tighten and prevent a further turning of the cover lid 6.

At the state according to FIG. 3, a kind of seating position is achieved, whereby the still upright standing bag pouch 2 forms a backrest, and whereby the unfolded cover lid 6 forms a seating surface. Thereby, it may be advantageous, if the cover lid 6 and/or the seating surface is cushioned.

If thereby the cover lid 6 is entirely unfolded, that means, with the anterior section 19 and the posterior section 20 within a common, approximately planar alignment, so a lying surface is obtained or an underlay for changing the diaper of a baby, etc.

If now the quick release fasteners 17 are opened, what can be seen in FIG. 4, the bag pouch 2 may be laid down, namely away from the unfolded cover lid 6, whereby the lying surface obtains a maximum length, namely according to about the threefold height of the bag 1. Thereby, the former backrest now serves as an underlay for the head, and the bag pouch 2 may be used like a pillow, to achieve an elevated head position.

For closing the opening 5 by means of the cover lid 6, one or more buckles or quick release fasteners 21 may be provided in the area of the free edge of the cover lid 6, preferably two buckles or quick release fasteners 21. The counterparts for these fastening means are arranged at the bag's front side 22, preferably in its lower area at or near the bottom 3.

FIG. 2 provides an insight into a possible configuration of the interior 23 of the bag pouch 2. Upper edges 24 facing inwardly at the lateral parts 25 shall inhibit that the contents of the bag 1 may fall out upon tipping over of the bag 1 in opened state. Furthermore, such upper edges 24 bent, edged or rounded inwardly in such way may serve to stabilize the shape of the bag 1, and they make sure that there remains no slit-shaped opening, where rainwater or the like might enter.

In the interior of the bag 1, there may be provided further partitionings and/or (stitched on) pockets to partition the bag's interior into several compartments and/or to serve as insertion pockets 45, for example for wallets, business cards, mobile telephones, pens, cooling packs, etc. Further internal compartments 47 may be closable, for example by means of a zipper, snap fastener, or the like. Pencil holders or pencil holding ribbons may be provided, too. Furthermore, a mounting device 46 for fixing of a key or bunch of keys may be installed, for example in the form of a karabiner hook, key ring or the like, especially at the free end of a strap sewed on one-sidedly.

In FIG. 3, one can see an internal lid 26 covering the opening 5 of the bag pouch 2. Especially during the seating function, this internal lid 26 presents the advantage that the bag remains closed despite of an unfolded cover lid 6. On the one hand, this leads to a theft-protection; on the other hand, rain, dirt, etc., may be kept out of the bag's interior.

The inner lid 26 also can exhibit straps 27 at its free edge, or other fastening means like hook and loop fasteners, quick release fasteners, snap fasteners or buttons.

Furthermore, the inner lid 26 may be detachable. If the lateral zippers of the bag 1 are closed, this results in a second compartment, wherein the inner lid 26 may be stowed.

As additional storage places, there may exist auxiliary compartments or pockets externally attached to the shoulder bag 1, especially to the bag pouch 2. At the illustrated embodiment, at both sides 25 of the bag pouch 2, there is appliquéd a meshwork 28 respectively, with an upper elastic band 29 for closing the regarding meshwork pocket 28. Such a meshwork 28 is flexible and therefore can receive a drinking bottle or other victuals. At the front side 22 of the bag pouch 2, there may be appliquéd a flat document case 30, whose slit-shaped opening may be closable by means of a zipper 31.

At the bag's rear side 7 as well as at the cover lid 6, there are situated no appliquéd pockets, in order to not deteriorate the comfort during sitting or lying.

Furthermore, the shoulder bag 1 comprises a shoulder belt 32, whose both ends are fixed to the lateral sides 25 of the bag pouch 2. Thereby, the kind of fixation may be permanent, for example by stitching or threading through a ring, or reversible, for example by plugging, buckling, Velcro-fastening or buttoning, or by means of a karabiner hook or the like. At the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the shoulder belt 32 is stitched covertly and comprises a detachable (cushioned) shoulder pad 33, a main buckle 34 as well as an auxiliary buckle 35, where an auxiliary belt 36 may be plugged in.

The functioning of the auxiliary belt 36 is especially shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. If the shoulder bag 1 shall be shouldered normally, it has—like any other shoulder bag, too—the disadvantage that it can slip out of position slightly and then is in the way at other activities like bicycle riding, for example. Now, the auxiliary belt 36 can be attached optionally, as shown in FIG. 5, and inhibits any undesired shifting of the shouldered bag 1.

Preferably, the auxiliary belt 36 is adjustable with regard to its length, and, in unused condition, can be stored—folded or coiled—in a lateral belt pocket 37, which may be closable by means of a zipper or the like. In the belt pocket 37, the auxiliary belt 36 may be fixed (in a removable manner) to a quick release fastener 38 or the like. If required, the auxiliary belt 36 is unrolled and may be latched with a belt buckle element 39, preferably to a belt tongue, at its not fixed end 40, to a belt buckle counterpart 41. In FIG. 7, the auxiliary belt 36 is shown entirely extracted from the belt pocket 37. Both ends 40 of the auxiliary belt 36 comprise a preferably male of tongue-like belt buckle element 39.

The auxiliary belt 36 enables the shoulder bag 1 to be converted into a shelf, a suspension rack or a hanging toiletries bag or the like. Thereto, one takes the auxiliary belt 36 completely out of the belt pocket 37, so that the belt buckle elements 39 at both ends 40 of the auxiliary belt 36 can be fixed to the inner belt buckle counterparts 21 or to the female buckles 21 of the unfolded cover lid 6.

Thereafter, starting at the lying position according to FIG. 4, the quick release fasteners 17 of the straps 10 are plugged together like at the chair function, but with completely unfolded cover lid 6. If now, in this state, the bag 1 is turned upside down in such way that backrest and seating surface change their orientation in space, one obtains a practical hanging rack, which can be suspended from nearly any object by means of the auxiliary belt 34 on the upper side, for example from a nail in a wall, from a branch or from the upper edge of a door leaf, as can be seen in FIG. 6.

This may result in a toiletries bag, a big shelf space or the like, which are formed by the front and rear sides 22, 7 as well as by further internal compartments of the bag 1.

At a hook and loop fastener 41 at the inner side of the cover lid 6, one could fix still one or more smaller auxiliary Velcro pocket(s), mirror(s), mirror foil(s), PVC mirror plate(s) or the like. These could also belong to the interior of the actual bag 1, and may be not firmly installed, but only contained in a removable manner or possibly temporarily fixed by means of hook and loop fasteners.

At the inner side of the cover lid 6, especially at the part 19, there could be provided a bag 49, too, for example sewed into the lining, which could be closable, especially by means of a zipper, a hook and loop fastener, a snap fastener or the like. Furthermore, a mirror foil could be appliqued at this place, or a meshwork, for example for hygiene products like, for instance, toothpaste tubes, soap, etc.

The bag pouch 2 and/or the cover lid 6 may be made from a flexible and stable, preferably fabric-like material like, for example, canvas, nylon, ripstop fabric, leather or the like as well as from combinations of these materials. On the other hand, the shoulder bag 1 may be entirely or partially fabricated from special materials, too. Kevlar, for example integrated into the cover lid 6, minimizes the risk to be hurt at the back due to an assault, especially the risk to be hurt by a bullet of a gunman. Such protection is useful in the bag mode, when the bag 1 is carried at the back or at the side, as well as in the chair mode.

The cover lid 6 as a potential seating or lying surface as well as other portions of the bag pouch 2 may be equipped with an isolating material like, for example, aluminium foil and/or polystyrene, and/or provided with a light stabilizing frame, for example manufactured from fibre-glass.

In FIG. 4 of the drawing, there are drawn four such fibre-glass rods 48, by way of example. Preferably, these are situated in the seating surface 20 and in the backrest 7, while part 19 of the cover lid 6 preferably does not exhibit any stabilizing or fibre-glass rods 48. Preferably, the parts of the bag 1 stiffened by stabilizing or fibre-glass rods 48—that is the seating surface 20 and the backrest 7—are cushioned, amongst other things for the purpose that the regarding rods 48 are not sensed as uncomfortable.

By the way, it should be emphasized that, although the actual part 19 of the cover lid 6 is sewed to the cushioned seating surface and for this reason represents a rather big part, that part which actually covers the bag's opening 5, is smaller, of course.

In FIGS. 4 and 6, a meshwork 50 can be seen which is situated at the part 20. The meshwork 50 can be open, especially at its upper edge; however, it could be closable, for example by means of a hook and loop fastener or a zip fastener, snap fastener, etc. The opening is situated at the upper margin, that is such direction where part 19 of the cover lid 6 is sewed on. In the rear, in compartment 44, the meshwork 50 forms an auxiliary pocket for smaller things, when the bag is closed in its bag mode. Even at the meshwork 50 of the part 20, a mirror plate such as made of PVC could be fixed by means of a hook and loop fastener or equivalent.

The side of bag at the rear (in the bag mode) may be equipped with deeper upholstery seams. These may show different patterns, for example organic or pictorial patterns or regular patterns like rectangles, etc. This deepened entire seam of the foam and the other materials renders the surface more corrugated and therefore consequently more comfortable, too, as well as more airy upon wearing of the bag, or, respectively, the comfortable cushioning can be felt better upon sitting on part 20. The seams can penetrate the part 20 entirely, but can only be situated at the bag's rear side, too. Even the backrest could be equipped with such a cushion pattern for rendering the backrest more airy.

Furthermore, there may be provided a fastening means allowing the fastening of the bag at a bicycle or at a motorcycle, especially at its pannier or luggage rack. Such fastening means may be shaped in such way that the bag according to the present invention is suspended laterally therefrom, or such that the bag rests on the luggage rack, especially with its rear side facing downwards. The same or another fastening means may be shaped in such way that it permits a fastening to a paddle boat or to a kayak, too. This may be realized in such way that the bag itself forms a seat of the paddle boat. Preferably, such fastening means are located at the rear side oft he bag according to the invention. They may be arranged in a detachable manner, in whole or in part, and may be stowed at the rear side of the bag within an outside pocket closable by a zipper.

The release of the connection between the fastening means and the bag may be accomplished via belt buckles, or via snap fasteners, or by hook and loop fasteners, or via other connecting means.

This outside pocket may be upholstered so that the fastening means is cushioned during the use of the bag, therefore making the carrying of the bag comfortable. On the other hand, there could be extra cushioning means fastened above the fastening means, for example detachable like a hook and loop zipper, etc.

Furthermore, detachable backpack straps may be provided. Such may be fastened at the rear side of the bag via connection means, for example via belt buckles, snap fasteners, hook and loop fasteners or similar connection means. It may be the same connecting means like the fastening means for the anchoring at a bicycle, motorcycle, paddle boat or other transportation means. Such straps might be hidden in a separate pocket at the rear wall of the bag, like already mentioned, or they might be rigidly fixed.

The actual seating unit may be detachable from the bag, if necessary without backrest, preferably together with the backrest. This may be achieved in that the backrest is detachably fixed to the bag, whereby an inner wall subdividing the bag's content functions as a bag's outer side.

Finally, at the top of the bag, there may be provided a handle. This handle is preferably anchored at the top of the bag. 

1. Multifunctional shoulder bag, comprising at least one bag pouch, which is closed laterally all around as well as at its bottom, with an opening at its upper side, which can be closed by means of a cover lid, characterized in that the cover lid of the shoulder bag is not fixed in the area of the bag opening, but in its bottom area, whereby lateral areas of the cover lid are mountable in a removable manner at the lateral surface of the bag pouch.
 2. Shoulder bag according to claim 1, characterized in that the cover lid is convertible into a seating and/or lying surface by complete unfolding.
 3. Shoulder bag according to claim 1, characterized in that the length of the cover lid approximately corresponds to twice the height of the bag pouch plus the single-ply thickness of the bag pouch.
 4. Shoulder bag according to claim 1, characterized in that the cover lid is connectable to the bag pouch by means of lateral straps.
 5. Shoulder bag according to claim 1, characterized by at least one internal lid, which preferably closes the interior of the bag safely even in the sitting position.
 6. Shoulder bag according to claim 5, characterized in that inner lid is storable in a compartment of the bag during non-use.
 7. Shoulder bag according to claim 5, characterized in that inner lid has at least a Velcro area or a buckle or a quick release fastener or a (press-) button.
 8. Shoulder bag according to claim 1, characterized by at least one shoulder belt.
 9. Shoulder bag according to claim 8, characterized by at least one auxiliary belt, which preferably is adjustable in its length.
 10. Shoulder bag according to claim 9, characterized in that the auxiliary belt is fixable to different parts of the bag and/or storable in an auxiliary pocket.
 11. Shoulder bag according to claim 9, characterized in that the auxiliary belt is mountable in a reversible manner to the shoulder belt by means of buckles, quick release fasteners, hook and loop fasteners and/or (press) buttons, especially in such way that it prevents the shoulder belt from slipping out of position.
 12. Shoulder bag according to claim 1, characterized in that the auxiliary belt is mountable in a reversible manner to the cover lid by means of buckles, quick release fasteners, hook and loop fasteners and/or (press) buttons, preferably at both ends, especially in such way that the shoulder bag can be suspended at any arbitrary object.
 13. Shoulder bag according to claim 12, characterized in that die shoulder bag may be suspended with entirely opened cover lid, preferably in such way that an approximately horizontal orientation oft he of the bag pouch can be achieved by means of lateral connecting means between lateral areas of the cover lid and lateral areas of the bag pouch, similar to a hanging rack. 